Eggs broken open in the coop, no dead chickens, no missing shells, what the???

[cmom]

Years ago I had a hen that started to eat the eggs. I got rid of her. I do have golf balls in the nest boxes and have seen some peck marks on them but so far so good.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Raccoons eat the liquids and leave the shells in place.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Wouldn't a raccoon also grab a chicken on the way out, though? They don't seem the type to ignore a bunch of sleeping dinners.

 

[centrarchid]

Wouldn't a raccoon also grab a chicken on the way out, though? They don't seem the type to ignore a bunch of sleeping dinners.

They will often target what is easy and leave other things alone. Young opposums and young skunks (when eggs on ground) will also eat egg contents leaving shells nearly in place. If I am correct, then placing a live trap baited with an egg or two, possibly with one cracked to provide more smell will yield a young predator. Consider placing the trap either where last clutch was consumed or likely route thief took to get there.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Wouldn't a raccoon also grab a chicken on the way out, though? They don't seem the type to ignore a bunch of sleeping dinners.

They hunt and kill when they're hungry, which they wouldn't be after eating a bunch of eggs.

 

[aart]

Went out to collect eggs today and all the eggs that aren’t under a broody hen were cracked open, shells still there, no hurt chickens... what the??? Did a predator do this?? If so what would it be?? We have a livestock guardian dog, four roosters, two broodys in the coop round the clock and there was no “disturbance” out there today, I have been home all day! It happened in broad daylight as well!! I don’t get it!!! HELP!!!!

Very odd....has it happened again?

 

[BamburghFarms]

Very odd....has it happened again?

It never did happen again! Weirdest thing ever!

 

[BamburghFarms]

I didn’t see anyone mention - I’ve read that you should put ceramic eggs or other fakes (golf balls, whatever) so if they try to peck them it doesn’t work. And collect eggs quickly. I hope you can break them if it!

Someone on here built their own nesting box where the egg rolled out of reach using a paint tray, the kind you use with a paint roller.

I would love to see that! Do you know where on the site the directions to make one would be?

 

[BamburghFarms]

Do you prrovide oyster shell in a separate dish or bowl so the laying hens can free-feed all that they need?

We sure do! Oyster shells and grit

 

[BamburghFarms]

how are the shells? are they thin? if so it's easy to break them and the chicken has a snack, when I find one broken that is what I check the quality of the shell. if you have a idea of your hens timeline for laying, you can do the ceramic egg trick.. you just need to get to the real ones before they do.

Excellent shells! Super thick and hard etc. We feed oyster shells and free range and also give food year round as well.